Kansas City-based Trekk Design Group LLC is jumping into the Springfield market using a project with the city of Springfield as a springboard for a satellite office.
Working on the city’s Private Sewer Repair Pilot Program, contracted to Overland Park, Kan.-based firm Black & Veatch, subcontractors Trekk, along with the Lawrence, Kan., office of engineering firm CH2M Hill and Springfield office of Olsson Associates Inc., are tasked with helping the city test various strategies to avoid expansive capital improvements, protect water quality, and reduce sanitary sewer overflows and sewer back-ups into buildings.
Founded in 2003 by three students from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Trekk has a history with inflow and infiltration pilot studies, having already completed a project in Johnson County, Kansas, near Overland Park and Leawood.
“We began that pilot study in 2009 and successfully addressed each issue,” said Matt Ridpath, Trekk project task manager on both the Johnson County and Springfield projects. “We are working to replicate that process down here.”
Water LoggedThe city of Springfield has identified these five groundwater basins as areas of concern to be addressed with the Private Sewer Repair Pilot Program.
Early Action ProgramPart of Springfield Public Works’ Clean Water Services seven-year $50 million Early Action Program to reduce overflows, the Private Sewer Repair Pilot Program aims to keep groundwater runoff out of the sanity sewer system, thereby preventing sewer overflow caused by uncapped sewer clean outs and downspouts, as well as improperly connected sump pumps and area drains, through home inspections and repairs in five targeted water basins across central and northern Springfield.
Springfield Director of Environmental Services Steve Meyer said the problem is common for a city the size and age of Springfield, noting Public Works began addressing issues on the public side about 15 years ago, but private concerns remained.
“We have the public side in pretty good shape. Now about 75 percent of the problem is private homes,” he said. “We have addressed about 1,000 homes and 500 businesses in the five pilot areas since we began in July. If this project is a success, the city will determine a plan going forward.”
According to Springfield’s website, the city is pursuing the pilot program to find the most cost effective way to keep rainwater out of the sewer system at no additional cost to the property owner, with the aim of keeping future rates as low as possible.
Meyer said for every $1 spent, the city could save $7 to 10 in future capital improvements.
“If we cap these sources now, we won’t have to increase our plant and pipe capacity in the future and can avoid major capital improvements,” he said.
Getting it doneTrekk project task manager Ridpath estimates one in every four homes in the pilot areas has a groundwater problem. With about 2,000 homes in the area, Ridpath said the team has much work ahead of them, but the sheer volume isn’t the concern – it’s educating the homeowner’s to the issues and participation.
“Each homeowner was sent a letter explaining the program and asking if a building evaluation crew could come out and inspect the property,” said Trekk civil engineer Brandon Freeman, of the problem which he terms “out of sight, out of mind.” “People don’t want their bills to go up, but they also don’t want their kids playing in sewer in the streets. Those two things go hand in hand.”
Freeman said all repair work costing up to $5,000 – which is conducted by licensed plumbers – is covered by the city of Springfield, with the average home bill $1,600.
“It’s a problem that needs taken care of, not a matter of money,” he said. “Getting home and business owners to understand is key.”
Based on the recommendations of a city-appointed citizen task force, the City Council approved rate increases in May 2011 of $4.29 per month – or 26 percent – beginning July 1, 2011, and $5.53 per month – or 28 percent – beginning July 1, 2012, followed by more modest annual increases for the following four-year period. Steep increases at the beginning of the EAP were required to fund improvement projects. With the 2012 increase, the sewer portion of the average household’s utility bill is about $25.27 per month, up from $19.75 per month in the current year and about $15.46 in the year prior to rate increases needed to fund the EAP, according to the city’s website.
Going forwardFreeman said the city has been proactive in its decision to address private groundwater sources, but the process is cyclical.
“We will complete the houses in these older areas, but with each day that passes more houses are aging,” he said. “The key is public education. If you can stop the problem from starting – stop it in the building process – the city won’t have to deal with these issues later on.”
Meyer said if the city can remove at least 30 to 40 percent of sanity sewer contamination on the private side during the pilot program, which ends in August, he will consider the effort a success.
Once complete, Meyer said the city would determine if the program is more cost effective than building a new treatment center, an addition to the two current centers northwest of the city on Highway 13 and southwest on state Route FF. If so, the project could expand citywide.
Trekk is currently seeking office space for its Springfield satellite office. While the company’s primary focus might be underground right now, its future goals for the market are on the rise Freeman said. The company will continue to work with the pilot program as it begins to grow its local client base and reach out to the business market, he said.
